Observations placeholder
Symbolism - Korean mystic shamanism – Costume: Swords
Identifier
027024
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Always worth asking those with long swords whether they also have short swords as well
A description of the experience
If you look at the various descriptions for the Hero, including the Hero’s Quest , and the Hero’s symbolic badges, the sword in its wider sense is an attribute of the hero and a ‘weapon’ symbolically speaking in the task they have been given in the Great Work.
BUT there is also a much much more explicit meaning to the use of the sword.
The 'short sword' and the 'long sword ' are code words for the penis and the spine. The terms are used in Sexual stimulation to denote the need to practise with the short sword in order to build up enough energy that one has a spiritual experience – kundalini energy up the long sword and enlightenment. On effect the weaponry carried bythe few male shamans or mystics does have some symbolic significance.
BUT, as we have seen the majority of shamans in Korea are women.
In this case the sword is a symbol of beheading – itself symbolic. I will not repeat the description here, follow the link and it is explained there.